10 Asian Snacks I Can’t Live Without

What do people in Asia eat when they get the munchies? If you’ve ever step foot inside a Chinatown supermarket, you’ll know that the grocery aisles abound with sweet and salty snacks. Here are the top ten Asian treats I simply can’t live without.

photo courtesy of Modern Asian Style

#10 White Rabbit Candy – These milky little candies are the white analog to the Tootsie Roll. They melt in your mouth and are just as addictive.

#9 Chinese-style Beef Jerky – Sweet with a hint of spice, Chinese jerky is soft and easy on the molars. It gets the job done when those 4 o’clock hunger pangs come calling.

#8 Melon Flavored Chewing Gum – Korean restaurants often include sticks of melon gum with the check. Fruity and refreshing.

#7 Japanese Rice Crackers – I love munching on these subtly sweet yet salty crackers. They’re a great substitute for potato chips.

#6 Pineapple Tarts – My Malaysian roommate introduced these to me back in college and brings a tub back to share whenever she returns from a trip home. Chinese markets sell premade packages of pineapple squares, but Malaysian bakeries have perfected this treat down to a buttery, flaky art.

#5 Mochi – I’ll eat these chewy rice balls in any form, whether ice cream-filled or as a topping on frozen yogurt.

#4 Shrimp Chips – Craving something greasy? These chips are crunchy and just a tad bit fishy, but boy, do they hit the spot.

#3 Dorayaki – These Japanese confections look like miniature pancakes and are filled with Azuki red bean paste. Perfect with a tall glass of milk.

#2 Pocky – The single most popular food in the Asian snack world, Pocky has been around since the 1960s and comes in a variety of flavors. My personal favorite is strawberry, but if you like your snacks bittersweet, try “Pocky for Men” (dipped in dark chocolate).

#1 Indomie – Would you eat it here or there? Yes, I’d eat indomie anywhere. These Indonesian-style instant noodles (方便面) are so much more than a snack. Served sans soup with a fried egg on top and a dollop of sriracha on the side, indomie is Asian comfort food at its best.